If you’re not in crisis, but you think it’s time to get help, your GP is a great place to start.

For more information about the help that’s available to you, see the Get Help section of our website.

You can also call or email the Mental Health Foundation’s Resource & Information Service during business hours. They can send you resources, and let you know what supports and services are available in your area. Phone (09) 623 4812 or email info@mentalhealth.org.nz

Helpful conversations

The issues raised in the series are sadly a reality for many of our young people and they can have a devastating impact on our communities.

We need to have open, honest conversations about really challenging topics and be prepared to keep talking about them. Suicide is preventable and we need to talk about how we can support ourselves and each other.

But not all conversations about suicide are safe, and sometimes they can cause harm to vulnerable people. If we simplify the causes of suicide, present suicide as a reasonable response to difficult circumstances, explicitly discuss methods of suicide or fail to explore solutions or avenues of help, we’re not having helpful conversations.

We’ve pulled together this hub of resources to help you have challenging conversations and know what to do if you or someone you care about is experiencing suicidal thoughts or needs someone to talk to.

Common Ground – A website for parents, family, whānau and friends of young people who are going through a challenging time.

The Lowdown – A website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety.

Depression.org.nz – Resources, tools and support to help you find a way through depression and anxiety.

SPARX – An online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland. SPARX helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed.

Supporting Families in Mental Illness – Supporting Families has a network of branches throughout the country that provide information, education, support and training to the families and whānau of people experiencing mental illness.